Life Before Downsizing: Six Secrets to Managing Change and Creating Opportunities for the Future

Sep 30
06:07

2006

Ed Sykes

Ed Sykes

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What would you do if you learned your organization wasbought by another organization, was downsizing, or closingits doors tomorrow? In 30 days? Six months? In one year?Are you prepared for the change? What will you do in thefuture?

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In this ever changing world we live in,Life Before Downsizing: Six Secrets to Managing Change and Creating Opportunities for the Future Articles there is oneconstant…change.  Changes are happening faster and faster.Even what is changing has a different look.  Just think of theitems in your life that were not available 20, 10, 5 years, oreven one year ago.  Just think of the iPod, cloning, DNA, etc.Why would we think our career situation will be the same intwenty years?

The same types of changes are happening in the workplace.This is no longer the world of working twenty years for thesame company.  Organizations are adapting to the local,national, and global marketplaces.

How do you prepare yourself for these changes?  Thefollowing techniques will enable you to master career changeand create opportunities for you:

1. Create Goals – Many times when you work for anorganization for a long time, you may become complacent.Constantly develop your goals.  Work on goals in the areasof career, family, education, fitness, health, and spirituality.This will create balance in your life and enable you masterchange when it comes.

2. Cast Your NETS Now! – N-E-T-S means Network withEveryone for Total Success!  Go out and join variousindustry and non-industry groups.  This is a great way tospread your NETS.  Volunteer and be active with thesegroups so that your skills can be seen and your ideas heard.This is an opportunity to develop your leadership abilitiesand let others know about you as a person and the skills youhave to offer.  As I always say:

“It’s not what you know.  It’s not who you know.  It’s whoknows what you know.”

Depending on the skills, you will be looked at as an expert.Cast your NETS and let others know what you know.

3. Account for Your CPA -   C-P-A means Creating a PositiveAttitude.  Create a positive attitude toward your career andlife so that you will not miss opportunities when they arrive.Look at challenging situations as opportunities that willprepare you for greater opportunities in the future.  Realizethat the projects you work on today will create newopportunities for you tomorrow.

4. Seek Knowledge – Continuously seek knowledge to stayahead of the change curve.  Many times when we work withemployees in organizations, we let employees know abouteducational opportunities that enhance their careers andlives.  Sometimes, we receive the following response:

“If the company isn’t going to pay for the class, then I amnot going to take it.”

Folks, we gladly spend (spend as in purchasing somethingwith decreasing value) money on cable TV, DVD’s, etc.However, when it comes to investing in our education, weoften say no.

Keep in mind that once you receive your knowledge, its yourknowledge, and you take it wherever you go.  Additionalknowledge gives you the confidence to meet challenges andembrace opportunities.

Take the time to find out what benefits and educationalopportunities your organization is offering and takeadvantage of them.  Do it today.

Seek knowledge and grow!

5. Relax and Downsize Your Life – Take the time to downsizeyour lifestyle.  Often when we receive a raise, we buy abigger car or house, buy additional items on credit, etc.  Thathas become the norm in the “super size me” society.  As thecomedian George Carlin says, “We have become a slave toour stuff.”  Think of ways you could downsize your lifestyleif you were faced with a career or life challenge tomorrow.Then act on it before it acts on you.

By downsizing, you will experience the following benefits:

a. Take back control of your lifeb. Reduce stressc. Allow more time for family, hobbies, and community work

Also, it will allow you to take advantage of a new career orbusiness opportunity, one that maybe you have a realpassion for, without being as concerned about “will this jobpay my bills.”

6. Connect with Your Change Barometer – Look inward orask a good friend or family member how you handled changein the past.  Ask the following questions:

How did you feel?What did you look like?How did you react (or not react)?

Ask for honest feedback and take the information to learnhow to handle career change and challenges in the future.It’s okay to feel a certain way during the challenge ofchange.  It’s not okay to stay there.  Also, understand thateveryone handles change differently.  So respect your co-workers’ feelings.

Take these six secrets to managing change, and you willmaster the present and create future opportunities.

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